GOP leaders question state’s takeover of youth facility

Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2003 | 9:05 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Two Republican leaders in the Legislature say they are unhappy with what they call the state's slow pace in re-opening the Summit View juvenile detention center in North Las Vegas.

They also complained that costs linked to the re-opening are escalating.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio of Reno and Assembly Minority Leader Lynn Hettrick of Minden favor continuing to let a private company run the facility for serious juvenile offenders. The Legislature, however, agreed with Gov. Kenny Guinn's recommendation to allow the state to re-open and operate the 96-bed facility.

Raggio said Tuesday at a meeting of the Legislative Interim Finance Committee that the state Division of Child and Family Services had projected it would have 24 beds open in November and 48 beds in January. But Diane Comeaux, deputy director of the division, said 12 beds will be open in January.

Raggio said that means the state will be paying to house juvenile delinquents in other facilities in Tennessee and at Rite of Passage in Northern Nevada.

"Is this going to be cost effective with the state running it?" Raggio said.

Hettrick said: "We're hiring staff to hire staff. We're not taking care of the kids."

Comeaux said the state operation will be cost effective in the long run.

Hettrick suggested it could cost the state as much as $864,000 more than if it let Rite of Passage run the operation in North Las Vegas.

Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, supported the state's takeover and referred to the abuses that occurred when a private company ran Summit View.

"We will have better control over state employees and we will make sure they are better trained," she said.

Correction Services Corp. had operated the $14 million center since it opened but then pulled out in January 2002.

There were a series of problems at Summit View, including escapes and female staff having sex with the inmates.